Tuesday, June 30, 2009

In spite of the Obama Administration's promises of "transparency", consumers are still in the dark as to where JBS Swift Beef Company shipped its recalled beef products. JBS recalled more than 41,000 pounds of beef on June 24, 2009 and expanded that recall to a total of 380,000 pounds on June 28th.

The Company's initial recall notice stated that the beef was shipped to retailers and distributors in 13 states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin. The expanded recall simply said that the beef was distributed nationally and internationally.

USDA promised consumers last year that the agency would release a list of retail consignees for all Class I (highest hazard level) recalls. We are still waiting to see the consignee list. Indeed, we don't even know what countries were on the receiving end of the beef shipments. All we have is a detailed list of recalled products that is 104 pages long, and is completely useless to consumers.

The recalled beef products have been linked to illnesses of E. coli O157:H7 in "multiple states". Which states? We don't know. How many states? We don't know. And when eFoodAlert asked the direct question, CDC's Press Officer, Lola Scott Russell, replied, "We do not have any additional information to release beyond the FSIS press release at this time."

Three children in London, Ontario also have been diagnosed with E. coli O157:H7 gastroenteritis. While the timing is coincidental and the illnesses have been linked to consumption of ground beef, there is no evidence as yet that these Canadian cases can be traced to meat from JBS Swift. We were informed by Bryna Warshawsky, Associate Medical Officer of Health of the Middlesex-London Health Unit, that molecular typing of the three London cases is in progress. Dr. Warshawsky did not know whether there was any plan to compare the genetic fingerprint with the E. coli O157:H7 strain from the US cases.

Instead of receiving prompt, practical information from USDA or from JBS Swift, US consumers are being forced to rely on the information released, in a haphazard fashion, by retailers. The following retailers have released a list of recalled beef sold in their stores:

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

United States

Cosmetic Product Safety Recall: State of Indiana warns that certain flavors of Wink Bath and Body's shimmer lip gloss contain excessive levels of lead and have been removed from store shelves by Target.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.

Monday, June 29, 2009

Nestlé USA's Baking Division announced this afternoon that FDA has found E. coli O157:H7 in a "... retained production sample of 16 oz. Nestle Toll House refrigerated chocolate chip cookie dough bar." The unopened package of cookie dough carries a production code of 9041 (corresponding to a production date of February 10, 2009) and a "Best Before" indication of 10 JUN 2009.

The Company's news release went on to say,

"Nestle continues to work closely and in full cooperation with the FDA on the ongoing investigation. We are very concerned about those who have become ill from E. coli 0157:H7, and deeply regret that this has occurred."

Nestlérecalled all of its refrigerated Toll House cookie dough from the retail market on June 19th, after CDC established a link between the Company's products and an outbreak of E. coli O157:H7 illnesses. As of last report, CDC has confirmed that at least 46 people in 29 states were infected as a result of eating Nestlé Toll House raw cookie dough. The agency expects to update its outbreak report on Wednesday, July 1st.

According to CDC Press Officer Lola Scott Russell, the particular E. coli O157:H7 that is responsible for this outbreak is a very common strain. It has been circulating at a "background level" in the United States since early in 2005. CDC became suspicious when the number of reported cases due to this strain spiked above the usual background level in May and continued above that baseline early in June.

FDA, which has been carrying out an in-depth investigation of Nestlé's Danville facility, has not yet determined how the E. coli O157:H7 found its way into the cookie dough. Nestlé is cooperating with the FDA investigation.

At least three personal injury lawsuits already have been filed against Nestlé by Marler Clark on behalf of outbreak victims; Pritzker Olsen also is representing one or more victims.

Nestlé urged its customers today not to consume the recalled products; consumers should return these to the store for refund. And the Company reminded consumers once again that cookie dough should never be eaten raw.

Consumers with questions about the cookie dough recall should contact Nestle Consumer Services at 1-800-559-5025.

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

United States

Food Safety Recall:Plainview Milk Products Cooperative (Plainview, MN) recalls instant nonfat dried milk, whey protein, fruit stabilizers, and gums (thickening agents) that it has manufactured over the past two years, because they might be contaminated with Salmonella.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.

For the third time this year, the FDA finds itself overseeing an ingredient-driven Salmonella recall.

Plainview Milk Products Cooperative (Plainview, MN) announced this morning that it was recalling all instant nonfat dried milk, whey protein, fruit stabilizers, and gums manufactured by the Company during the last two years. Plainview took this action because the products may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Plainview sells its dried dairy powders, gums and stabilizers to food processors and distributors for incorporation into other products. None of the recalled items were sold directly to the public. The Company initiated its recall after FDA found Salmonella on production equipment in the Minnesota plant.

FDA inspected the Plainview facility after USDA reported finding Salmonella in a 100-gram package of Dairyshake powder. One of the ingredients in Dairyshake was supplied by Plainview. So far, no illnesses have been linked with the Plainview products.

Plainview has halted production while federal (FDA, CDC and USDA) and state agencies continue their investigation, and the Company has notified its customers of the recall. No consumer-level products have been recalled so far, but this will certainly change as Plainview and FDA trace the destination of the two years-worth of food ingredients.

This recall may prove to be as extensive as the peanut and pistachio product recalls that we experienced earlier this year. Dried milk and whey powders are common ingredients in a wide variety of dry mixes (e.g., cake and brownie mixes), in milk chocolate, and many other items. Stabilizers and gums can be found in everything from low fat yogurts to jams and jellies.

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Is it coincidence that both the US CDC and the Middlesex-London Health Unit in Ontario, Canada are in the throes of investigating meat-related outbreaks of E. coli O157:H7?

The Health Unit has received three reports of children infected with E. coli O157:H7 in the last five days. Two of those children ate kofta (spiced ground meat) purchased from the Westmount Halal Food Store in London, Ontario. The third child did not. Yesterday, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency advised consumers to avoid eating ground meat or kofta purchased from this store.

Also, yesterday, JBS Swift Beef Company announced an expansion of its June 24th meat recall. The Company's action was triggered by a CDC investigation into a multi-state E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. According to the recall announcement, CDC has confirmed 18 associated illnesses in several states. The agency has released no additional details – not even which states have reported illnesses.

The meat recalled by JBS Swift was distributed throughout the United States and internationally. The Company did not indicate to which countries it supplied beef cuts, although Canada would be a logical recipient for some of the cross-border sales. A simple comparison of genetic fingerprints of the E. coli O157:H7 outbreak strain from both sides of the border would quickly determine whether the US and Canadian outbreaks are related.

With the summer barbecue season now underway, these announcements are timely reminders to cook meat and poultry thoroughly. Always use a meat thermometer to determine whether the meat is done; color and texture are not reliable. Both USDA and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency offer suggestions for safe food handling. Please read and follow those recommendations to ensure that you, your family members, and your friends enjoy a food-safe barbecue season.

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

Food Safety Recall:JBS Swift Beef Company (Greeley, CO) expands its June 24 recall to include approximately 380,000 pounds of assorted beef primal products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The expanded recall results from an on-going CDC outbreak investigation of 24 illnesses in multiple states. At least 18 of the illnesses may be associated. The recalled meat was distributed nationally and was exported.

Canada

Food Safety Alert: The Middlesex-London Health Unit (Ontario) has received three lab-confirmed reports of E. coli O157:H7 infections in children in the last five days. Two of the three children reported eating kofta (spiced ground beef) purchased on June 14 and 15 from the Westmount Halal Food Store located at 490 Wonderland Road South. The source of the third child's infection is unknown. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency advises consumers to avoid ground meat or kofta purchased from Westmount Halal Food Store on or after June 2nd. While no recall notice has been issued, the store will issue refunds to any consumers who purchased these products.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.

Saturday, June 27, 2009

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

Canada

Allergy Alert: Canadian Food Inspection Agency warns consumers not to consume Sweet Potato Slice, manufactured in China by Zhongshan Kaxing Industry & Trade Co., Ltd., because the product contains undeclared sulfites. All codes of this product, which is sold in 454 g packages bearing UPC 6 941882 504139, are being recalled by the importer. The recalled product was distributed in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and may also be available in other provinces.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.

Friday, June 26, 2009

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

United States

Food Safety Recall:Nuts For You recalls Roasted & Salted Peanuts because of possible health risk. The recalled items contain peanut products from Peanut Corporation of America and may be contaminated with Salmonella.

Europe, Including the United Kingdom

Food Safety Recall (UK):Sainsbury's recalls its own-brand sesame seed and seed mix products, because of the presence of Salmonella, detected by Sainsbury's during routine testing.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific

Fraud Alert (Philippines): The Bureau of Food and Drugs warns consumers to be wary of advertisements for foods, dietary supplements and drugs that claim to provide protection against Influenza A/H1N1 (swine flu).

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.

Based on the chart displayed in CDC's outbreak investigation report, this strain has been reported in 363 E. coli O157:H7-infected individuals since February 2005. Significant clusters of reported cases occurred in February/March 2005, August 2005 through January 2006, April 2006 through December 2006, and April 2008 through December 2008. The present outbreak may have started as early as March 2009.

Without knowing the genetic fingerprint of the outbreak strain, we can only guess at the precise outbreaks associated with this particular E. coli O157:H7. Here are my best guesses.

August 2005 - January 2006: Some of these illnesses may be linked to two ground beef recalls initiated in August 2005 and September 2005 by Flanders Provision Co. after CDC linked their meat epidemiologically to E. coli O157:H7 illnesses.

April 2006 - December 2006: The November/December 2006 outbreak that was traced to contaminated shredded lettuce served at Taco Bell fast food restaurants in the northeast may account for some of these cases.

April 2008 - December 2008:Iceberg lettuce outbreaks in the United States and Canada (September/October 2008) may have been due to this strain of E. coli O157:H7.

If my suppositions prove to be correct – and we won't know unless CDC and USDA release the genetic fingerprints for these incidents – this strain of E. coli O157:H7 is now endemic. It has made itself at home right across the United States. As, most likely, one or more other strains of E. coli O157:H7 have done, too.

What does this mean for food safety?

Quite simply, the food industry and its regulators no longer have the luxury of treating E. coli O157:H7 as a niche pathogen – one that is found only in a limited range of food products. This pathogen has kept one step ahead of regulators and the industry for nearly three decades, jumping from dairy cows and petting zoo animals to recreational water, beef, apple cider, salad greens, and sprout seeds. Now it appears to have jumped into raw cookie dough.

E. coli O157:H7 is a hardy microbe – in many ways, hardier than Salmonella. It also is deadlier than Salmonella. Inevitably, E. coli O157:H7 will become as pervasive as Salmonella. Eventually, it might even challenge Salmonella at the top of the list of foodborne pathogens.

This scenario might sound far-fetched, but who would have predicted the contaminated cookie dough outbreak? Certainly not Nestlé's Corporate Quality Assurance group.

It's time to start paying closer attention to E. coli O157:H7 across the entire food spectrum – before this versatile pathogen outflanks us again.

Yesterday, FDA posted a series of inspection reports for the Danville, Virginia facility where the Toll House cookie dough was manufactured. The most recent FDA inspection, performed over the course of 12 hours on March 12 2009 – only four hours of which were spent on the Toll House cookie dough area – did not uncover a single sanitary violation or "objectionable" condition.

FDA was not permitted to review the company's consumer complaint files;

FDA was not permitted to review the company's HACCP program;

FDA was refused permission to photograph any areas inside the facility; and

FDA was not permitted to review either the pest control records or the environmental testing program.

If these restrictions sound familiar, it's because FDA and the Georgia Department of Agriculture encountered similar roadblocks at Peanut Corporation of America. It was only during the Salmonella outbreak investigation that FDA gained access to all of the Company's files, including lab test results.

"Nestlé USA’s Baking Division is continuing to work with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), together with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), on an investigation into reported E. coli 0157:H7 illnesses that may be related to consumption of raw cookie dough.

At this point, the E. coli strain implicated in the CDC investigation has not been detected in our products. FDA investigators have been working at our Danville, VA production facility, along with Nestlé experts, to obtain dough samples for testing. As well, the investigators are testing our equipment, water and air handling systems. They’re also analyzing our detailed production records and reviewing our procedures.

We have temporarily suspended production at our Danville facility and stopped shipping product to our retail customers. We estimate that about 300,000 cases of product have been removed from sale since the recall began.

Nestlé announced a voluntary recall of all of our Nestlé TOLL HOUSE refrigerated cookie dough on June 19, 2009. Because the health and safety of our consumers is so important, we began the recall while the investigation is still underway.

No other Nestlé TOLL HOUSE products are impacted, including already baked TOLL HOUSE cookies purchased outside the home, all varieties of Nestlé TOLL HOUSE morsels, chocolate baking bars, or cocoa, and Dreyer’s and Edy’s ice cream products with Nestlé TOLL HOUSE cookie dough ingredients. Also, the recall does not include any Nestlé Professional™ cookie dough products that are destined for foodservice use, including frozen Nestlé TOLL HOUSE cookie dough and cookie dough “mix-ins” purchased outside the home.

Consumers who have purchased the recalled products should not consume them. Instead, we are asking that consumers return these products to their local grocer for a full refund. We invite consumers with questions to contact Nestlé Consumer Services at 1-800-559-5025 and visit our web site at www.verybestbaking.com."

The Food Safety Enhancement Act of 2009, which is working its way through the House of Representatives, will increase FDA's access to quality assurance, environmental testing and other records during routine inspections – if the Act survives its trip through the House and Senate unaltered.

Meanwhile, it seems to take an outbreak investigation to bring about full cooperation between food corporations and regulators.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

Food Safety Recall:JBS Swift Beef Company (Greeley, CO) recalls approximately 41,280 pounds of beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The contamination was found as a result of USDA testing. The recalled meat was produced on April 21 and April 22, 2009 and shipped to distributors and retail establishments in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah and Wisconsin.

Food Safety Recall:Kowalke Family Sprouts (Culver City, CA) recalls certain products containing Organic Alfalfa Sprouts after Salmonella is found in a surveillance sample. The recalled sprouts were distributed to grocery stores in Southern California, including Gelson’s and Whole Foods. The California Department of Public Health has issued a warning to consumers to avoid eating these sprouts.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.

Evanger's has been given permission by FDA to resume interstate shipments immediately.

"The meeting went well," Joel Sher advised us in an e-mail yesterday evening, after returning from the "informal" hearing.

At the meeting, FDA asked Evanger's to submit a new set of Standard Operating Procedures ("SOPs") as a final condition for lifting the suspension. This should take 1-2 weeks, according to Joel.

Submission of new SOPs appears to be no more than a formality. The agency agreed that Evanger's could begin immediately to ship its canned pet foods interstate with the "review and approval" of the Company's Process Authority – the consulting firm that validated Evanger's sterilization processes and equipment.

Once FDA has received the SOPs, it will formally lift the suspension order. And Evanger's regulatory nightmare finally will be over.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

United States

Allergy Alert:La Mexicana, Inc. (Seattle, WA) recalls Solena Tortilla Chips with a June 03, 2009 code date, because they may contain undeclared milk and milk products. The recalled chips were distributed to retailers and food service outlets in Oregon and Washington.

Canada

Food Safety Recall:Alimentation M.R. (1727, rue Savoie, Plessisville, QC) recalls all sliced deli meats, salads and take-out sandwiches sold between June 8 and June 19 inclusive, due to possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes.

Allergy Alert (UK):Sainsbury's recalls some Heritage Raspberry Jelly and Strawberry Upside Down Trifle due to a labeling mix-up that resulted in the presence of undeclared milk, egg and wheat gluten.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

United States

Food Safety Alert:FDA warns consumers not to eat California Prime Produce and Orange County Orchards brands of pistachios. The pistachios, which had been recalled by Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella, Inc., were received and repacked by Orca Distribution West Inc. Orca has not made any public announcements about these products.

Food Safety Recall:International Meat Co., Inc. (Chicago, IL) recalls approximately 6,152 pounds of ground beef products that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The contamination was discovered by USDA during routine sampling. The recalled meat was shipped to distributors and restaurants in the Chicago area.

Canada

Food Safety Recall:Kildara Farms (Sidney, BC) recalls Kildara Farms Organic Gourmet Salad Greens, sold in 113 g plastic containers bearing Best Before JUN 25 and UPC 8 10770 00001 4, because the product may be contaminated with Salmonella. The recalled product was distributed in British Columbia.

Asia, Africa and the Pacific

Adulterated Herbal Product (Hong Kong): The Department of Health warns consumers to avoid Jin Yuan Pai Xue Guan Qing Dao Fu Jiao Nang, which was found to be adulterated with sildenafil, a drug used to treat male erectile dysfunction. Sildenafil (brand name Viagra) can interact with some other pharmaceutical products, resulting in potentially serious side effects in certain individuals.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Here is today's list of food safety recalls, product withdrawals and allergy alerts. The live links will take you directly to the official recall notices and company news releases that contain detailed information for each recall and alert.

Food Safety Recall:Waitrose recalls some of its Aberdeen Angus Beefburgers (available at the in-store service counter) because the burgers may be contaminated with small pieces of hard, white plastic.

Some supermarket chains post recall notices on their web sites for the convenience of customers. To see whether a recalled food was carried by your favorite supermarket, follow the live link to the supermarket's recall web site.